The hall fell silent.
Everyone present held their breath for Chu Jing.
Princess Qingping was notoriously domineering—once thwarted, she would employ endless underhanded tactics afterward.
"Very well, I’ll choose!"
Chu Jing spoke, and Qingping’s face lit up. "No take-backs!"
Cao Yang seemed about to interject, but Chu Jing cut him off. "My lord, you’ve already aided me many times before. Consider this my repayment." With that, she turned and fixed her gaze on Qingping. "Your Highness, regardless of whether I draw the life or death card today, I ask that you promise never to trouble the Cao household again."
Qingping, who had only been fighting for pride, agreed. "Fine!"
One of her male attendants brought forth a wooden box. Chu Jing closed her eyes and reached out—
"Wait."
Chu Ruoyan seized her wrist. "Aunt, have you forgotten? Princess Qingping’s 'Life and Death Cards' have never lost."
Chu Jing’s expression shifted, and the crowd caught on.
Indeed, over the years, everyone who gambled with Qingping using these cards had died. It couldn’t possibly be mere bad luck.
Unless the box contained no life card at all—only death cards!
Princess Qingping’s eyes turned venomous. "What, are you going back on your word?"
Chu Jing paled, but Xue Ling blurted out, "We demand to inspect the cards!"
"Inspect them?" Qingping scoffed as if she’d anticipated this. "Are you accusing this princess of cheating? Very well, I’ll allow it. But if the box holds a pair of matching cards, you lose. How about that?"
It was a dilemma.
If they inspected, they couldn’t be sure whether she’d planted matching cards.
If they didn’t, and both were death cards, they’d lose regardless.
Princess Qingping had ruled the capital’s social scene for decades—she was no fool.
Chu Jing glanced back at Cao Yang, realizing their fate was thinner than she’d hoped.
Gritting her teeth, she said, "No need to inspect. I’ll choose."
"Jing’er!" Old Madam Cao’s face twisted in anguish.
Just then, Chu Ruoyan let out a soft laugh. "Aunt, I haven’t finished speaking. Since your luck isn’t favorable today, why not let someone else choose?"
Chu Jing, knowing her niece was shrewd, looked to Qingping.
The princess sneered. "Whoever you pick, it doesn’t matter. But if the death card is drawn, the engagement is annulled immediately!"
Chu Ruoyan smiled. "Then let this gentleman beside Your Highness choose on our behalf."
The attendant froze. Qingping shot him a glare. "Do as she says! Let’s see what tricks they’re playing!"
Hesitantly, the man stepped forward and drew a card.
As Qingping’s lips curled in triumph, Chu Ruoyan suddenly shouted, "Hold it!"
Qingping stiffened. "Don’t tell me you’re reneging now?"
"Not at all," Chu Ruoyan replied smoothly. "I merely forgot to mention—the card this gentleman drew is the one we reject."
Princess Qingping’s face darkened.
But before she could react, Cao Yang seized the attendant’s wrist and flipped the card—
Death card!
The crowd erupted in murmurs, while Chu Jing exhaled in relief.
Chu Ruoyan lowered her lashes. "Since the rejected card is the death card, the remaining one must be the life card. Your Highness, it seems your man has decent luck after all."
The attendant holding the death card collapsed to his knees, trembling. Qingping’s eyes burned with hatred.
She couldn’t admit the other card was also a death card—even if everyone knew, it couldn’t be said aloud!
She’d been outmaneuvered by a mere girl!
Cao Yang’s voice was icy. "Your Highness, a promise is a promise. Leave at once."
Qingping glared at Chu Ruoyan, then suddenly sneered. "Ah, I remember now. You’re that divorced woman from the Yan Family… How interesting that you’d help the Caos."
Chu Ruoyan’s gaze flickered. What did that mean?
But Qingping had already stormed off.
The tension in the courtyard dissolved. Cao Yang clasped his hands. "Apologies for the disturbance, everyone. Please enjoy the feast. The Cao family will prepare gifts to soothe your nerves."
The ladies murmured their thanks.
As the music resumed and the wedding ceremony concluded, Chu Ruoyan overheard a servant ask Xue Ling, "Miss Ling, what should we do with the finger Princess Qingping sent?"
Xue Ling was about to say "discard it," but Chu Ruoyan cut in, "Don’t throw it away. Send it to the Marquis of Chengen’s Mansion!"
Xue Ling paused, then burst out laughing. "Brilliant! Since my father’s been searching everywhere for Yinghong, let him demand her from Qingping himself!"
One was a madwoman, the other a scoundrel—let them tear each other apart!
Just then, Chu Jing’s maid arrived, summoning Xue Ling for a toast.
Chu Ruoyan nodded at her, then stepped outside for air.
A beautiful woman in her thirties approached. "Are you Miss Chu?"
Chu Ruoyan eyed her. "And you are?"
"I am the daughter-in-law of Chancellor Gu. Seeing how cleverly you handled the princess earlier, I wished to invite you for a chat outside. Would you oblige?"
Chancellor Gu?
Chu Ruoyan’s lips curved. So, Gu Feiyan had run out of the Jade Beauty Cream.
She agreed, then instructed, "Yulu, stay here and inform my aunt that I’ve left early."
Yulu fretted. "Miss, you can’t go alone! Let me accompany you!"
Chu Ruoyan patted her shoulder. "Don’t worry. I’ll be with Chancellor Gu’s family. Nothing will happen."
Outside, a Gu family carriage awaited.
Soon, they arrived at a bookstore.
"Lanting Pavilion?" Chu Ruoyan read the grand plaque aloud, amused. "I never imagined this was the Gu family’s doing."
Lanting Pavilion was renowned among scholars—any aspiring official dreamed of entering its halls.
Yet who’d have guessed it belonged to the imperial chancellor?
Every candidate, before ascending the ranks, first landed on his list. The top scholars? Naturally, they became his protégés…
The woman smiled modestly. "Miss Chu, the chancellor awaits inside."
In the back hall of Lanting Pavilion stood a lean, gray-haired old man.
At their entrance, he waved a hand. "Leave us."
Once alone, Chancellor Gu studied Chu Ruoyan for a long moment.
"Girl of the Chu family," he said slowly, "first you offend Consort Xue, now Princess Qingping. Do you have a death wish?"
Chu Ruoyan arched a brow. The chancellor was well-informed—he’d already heard about the Cao family incident.
She remained silent, waiting.
Sure enough, the old man stroked his beard. "With enemies on all sides, even Chu Huaishan may not shield you. Hand over the Jade Beauty Cream, and I’ll mediate with Consort Xue and Qingping—"
Before he could finish, Chu Ruoyan sighed theatrically.
"Your Excellency missed one. I’ve also offended the Empress Dowager. Can you plead for me there as well?"
